CAD

Derailleur

The rear derailleur is the parallel linkage at the back of the bike which uses springs and wheels to change gears. The mechanism works by "derailling" or forcing the chain sideways from one sprocket to the next. For more details on the derailleur, click here: Bicycle_Derailleur

Chain

The chain is used to propell the bicycle by tranferring power from the pedals to the rear wheel. For more details on the chain, click here: Bicycle_Chain

Brakes

Brakes can be any mechanism used to slow the progress of a bicycle. They are important safety and control features. There are many varieties of brake systems, the most common being front and rear rim brakes on modern production bicycles.
For more details on the brakes, click here Bicycle_Brakes

Rear Hub & Gears

With the addition of gears on bicycles, people could maintain higher speeds while keeping wheel sizes small.
For more details on the gears, click here Bicycle_Gears

Bottom Bracket

The Bottom Bracket is the piece that connects the two crank arms which are connected to the pedals to the bottom of the frame. The bottom bracket contains threads which securely hold them into the frame. For more details on the bottom bracket, click here: Bicycle_Bottom_Bracket

Pedals and Crank Arms

The Pedals are the part of a Bicycle that the rider drives with their feet to propel the bicycle.

The crank arm is the component of the bicycle that transfers the force exerted on the pedals to the crankset. There are two main types of Crank_Arms.

Fork and Handlebar

The front wheel of the bike is connected to the fork, which is in turn connected to the frame of the bike via the head tube. Different mechanisms are used to attach the wheel to the fork, but the most commonly used method is by a quick release system. The handle bar is connected to the fork inside the head tube to allow rotation of the fork/front wheel for steering. A number of configurations for the handle bar and fork have been developed to accommodate the needs of different riders.

Seat

The seat supports most of the bicycle rider's weight. For more details on the seat, click here: Bicycle_Seat.

Wheels

Bicycle wheels connect to the frame and fork via dropouts. Front hub, spokes, rim, tires, and the quick release mechanism form the wheel. For more details on the wheels, click here: Bicycle_Wheels

Frame

The Rover "Diamond Frame" Safety was invented in 1885 by John Starley in England. The most popular materials used in the construction of the diamond frame are steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber. For more details on the frame, click here: Bicycle_Frame

Shifters

Bicycle shifters are used to change the gear ratio while riding. They work with parts called derailleurs to shift the chain from one gear to the next. Shifters started as simple levers with infinite range and evolved into indexed shift points and ergonomically correct shapes. To learn more about the history of bicycle shifters, click here: http://gicl.cs.drexel.edu/wiki/Shifters

Rear Shocks

Rear spring-damper suspension systems were not widely commercially available on mountain bikes until the early 1990's. In combination with front shocks the bikes were coined with the term "full suspension frames". However, the concept was developed more than a century before.
Evolution_Rear_Shock